Page 128 of Unholy Obsession

His glare sharpens. “Moira.”

I sigh, dragging my fork through the sauce. “Fine. Short version? Mads and I got snatched off the sidewalk, stashed in some abandoned warehouse by the river, and left to marinate in our own panic.”

His chair scrapes against the floor as he shoots up, fists slamming on the table. “WHERE IS SHE?”

I sighagain. “Someone with serious connections is pulling strings, and Mads thinks it’s too big for you to take on.”

His voice is a growl, veins popping at his temple. “You got out. Why the fuck didn’t you get Mads out with you?”

I grip my fork tighter, swallowing down the flash of guilt. “Because she wouldn’t let me, Domhnall. It wasn’t an option. If I’d tried, neither of us would’ve made it.” My eyes flash up at him. “And she thought they’d come and kill you. She wasn’t willing to risk it. The guys who had us were people she said she knew from—” I gesture with my fork, “Before.”

His hands ball into fists. “That’s evenmorereason to get her the hell out of there! You should’ve?—”

“What? Magically turned into a Navy SEAL and busted her out between kidnappers with guns?” I snap. “I did what I had to do. The only way to fix this is by playing their game.”

His nostrils flare, his whole body coiled like he’s ready to punch a hole through the wall. “What game?”

I take a deep breath. “They want something from me. Something I have to give them. And when I do, they’ll let Mads go.”

He shakes his head, eyes burning. “That’s not a fucking plan.”

“It’s survival,” I say, voice flat. “And if I do it right, everyone—including Mads andyou—comes out of this alive.”

His eyes narrow. “What do they want?”

I hesitate, my throat tightening. “I have to break up with Bane.”

Domhnall blinks, caught off guard for half a second before rage slams back into place. “This is about Bane? They’re threatening my fiancée because of your goddamnhusband? Who the fuck cares that much about a fucking priest? Is he in witness protection?”

I exhale, slow and controlled, like I can keep my hands from shaking if I just regulate my breathing. Like I can keep my voice steady and my head cool and my shit together. Spoiler alert: I can’t.

“His father is Brad Blackwolf. That’s why Mads got scared for you. I think he hired the guy who still has Mads.”

I swallow hard and drop the fork onto the plate with a clatter. I shift back in my chair, needing space, needing air. “He’s not exactly thrilled about me as a partner for his son. He tried to pay me off to leave Bane a little while ago, but I didn’t take it. And now, if I don’t walk away from Bane, bodies are gonna start dropping.”

Domhnall stares at me, breathing heavily, obviously still furious. His mind’s working, and I can see the exact moment the pieces click together behind those dark eyes.

“Shit,” he mutters. “Mads didn’t tell you to come here, did she? She didn’t want you to tell me at all.”

I shake my head, a sharp, jerky motion. “No. She thinks we should handle it ourselves. She thinks getting you involved will make things worse.”

“Well, she can fucking forget it. Because I’m fucking getting involved.” His growl is low and lethal, his entire body coiled tight like he’s about to launch himself into battle. “And if you think I’m sitting back while you try to handle this alone?—”

“You have to.” I cut him off before he can go full raging bull. “Because if this goes wrong, you’re the only one who’ll know what happened. You have to find Mads and tell Bane it’s his father if my leaving doesn’t call off the attack dogs. Do something to fix this clusterfuck. But let me try to fix it first. Please.”

“Why don’tyoujust tell Bane?”

I swallow hard again, looking down. Then I grab the paper towel to scrub at my face. I feel dirty after spending the night in that place, even if I was unconscious for most of it. “Bane left that world behind for a reason. His father’s obviously a monster. And I—” I blink hard to keep back stupid tears. “This is for the best, anyway. We both know I wouldn’t be any good for him in the long run.”

I drop the towel and reach out, daring to rest my fingers on his knee, a soft plea against all his hard edges.

“Please, Domhn,” I whisper. “I know I fucked up last year. I know I’ve disappointed you in every way a sister can. I brought the vilest piece of shit back into your and Mads’s lives, and even before that, I was too much—all the time—when all you deserved was a normal sister?—”

“Stop it, Moira.” He snaps the words like a whip. “I never needed normal. You’re mysister. I always knew you werecapable of standing on your own two feet. I just needed you to see it, too.”

I blink at him, stunned silent. He’s always acted like I was a hurricane he just had to endure. To hear him say he actually believed in me? It steals the breath from my lungs.

“I’m going to fix this.” My voice is steadier this time. More sure.

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